According to the Dodgers, they have signed a few more 2012 draft picks that I had not previously reported. 15th rounder Duke von Schamann has signed, along with Standford catcher Eric Smith (18th round), high school outfielder Jacob Scavuzzo (21st), APU right hander Alan Garcia (22nd), LHP Danny Coulombe (25th), and 40th rounder Pat Stover. In addition, according to Baseball America 4th rounder Justin Chigbogu, a high school 1st baseman, signed for $250,000 which was a slightly below slot deal. Finally, it's already been discussed in the comments quite a bit that 3rd rounder Onelkis Garcia has signed, although it's only been reported by one source and there is no financial information available.
Minor League Player of the Day – Alex Castellanos - 3 for 5, 1 HR, 1 2B, 2 Runs, 2 RBI's. Castle is heating back up in AAA with 5 hits over the past two days, including a double and a homer on Saturday.
AAA – John Ely had another solid game on Saturday while his offense spread the love around in a 9 to 1 victory over the Cubs. Ely gave up 7 hits over 5 frames, but didn't walk a batter and allowed just one run to score while striking out 6. Cole St. Clair followed with 2 a pair of shutout innings, then Blake Johnson and Angel Guzman finished off the game with a scoreless frame each. Five different Tope hitters had more than one hit, including Alex Castellanos who went 3 for 5 with a double and a homer. Brian Cavazos-Galvez also had 3 hits, while Jerry Sands went 2 for 3 with a double and a team high 3 RBI's. Josh Fields and Luis Cruz rounded out the multi-hit games as they combined for 3 two-baggers and 3 runs batted in.
AA – Aaron Miller was wild, yet effective on Saturday as the Lookouts doubled up the Generals (Mariners) 4 to 2. Miller walked 5 batters over 5.2 innings yet did not allow an earned run as he gave up just 4 hits and struck out 6. His bullpen provide solid relief to secure the win, anchored by closer Logan Bawcom who recorded his 6th AA save with a scoreless 9th. At the plate Nick Buss connected on the Lookouts' only two extra base hits and fell a homer shy of the cycle, while Jake Lemmerman went 2 for 3. Kyle Russell only had one hit but he drove in a game high 2 RBI's on the night.
HiA – The Quakes failed to capture the division crown on Saturday as they lost to the Mavericks (Mariners) 5 to 2. The defeat means that the 1st half champ will not be decided until June 25th, which is when the Quakes play High Desert for the first time in the 2nd half in what will become a winner take all game. In this contest Garrett Gould was scheduled to throw only 1 inning, but he ended up going 5 and allowed 4 runs on 8 hits. Jon Michael Redding tossed the final 3 frames and was solid as he gave up just 1 run, but at that point the game was already out of reach. The Quakes only two rallies came late in the game as both Leon Landry and Joc Pederson drove in a run over the final 3 frames, but Rancho left the bases loaded in the bottom of the 9th to end the game. Alexis Aguilar had the best night at the plate as he went 3 for 3 with a walk.
LoA – The Loons scored all of their runs after the 5th inning as they defeated Lansing (Blue Jays) 7 to 4. The top 2 batters in the Great Lakes lineup combined for 5 hits as James Baldwin went 2 for 4 and Jesus Arredondo had two singles and a double. Angelo Songco and O'Koyea Dickson both contributed with sac flies, while Scott Schebler drove in a run with a single and stole 2 bases. On the mound Gustavo Gomez had a mediocre outing as he gave up 3 runs on 4 hits and 3 walks over 5.2 frames, but his bullpen was solid to help secure the win. Juan Noriega allowed just 1 hit over 2.1 innings of work, and Michael Thomas got the final 2 outs for his first save of the year.
DSL – The Dominican Dodgers outhit the Cardinals 12 to 8, but they still lost to the Redbirds 6 to 4. Melvin Santana went 3 for 5 and his homer was the only extra base hit of the game, and Josmar Cordero continued his hit streak with a single. Vladimir Martinez and Daury Urena rounded out the offense as they had 2 hits a piece. Dodger starter Mario Querales got pulled before even recording an out as the first 5 batters of the game reached base against him, and from there on out it was a bullpen game. Willie Canelo highlighted the relief efforts as he the 2 innings of no-hit ball.
Coming up – The California League starts their All Star Break on Sunday so Rancho is off, but a former Quake will be on display in Chattanooga as Chris Reed will look to extend his hitless streak beyond 6 innings for the Lookouts. Michael Antonini will throw for the Isotopes, while Jarrett Martin will take the mound for the Loons.
Minor League Transactions – LoA: In a procedural move, the Loons added Gustavo Gomez back to the team and removed Arismendy Ozoria from the roster for the time being.
Albuquerque Isotopes Box Score (AAA)
Chattanooga Lookouts Box Score (AA)
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes Box Score (HiA)
Great Lakes Loons Box Score (LoA)